How would you introduce yourself in one sentence?

My name is Craig Conner, I like rock climbing, DIY and anything powered by electricity.

Why did you choose to study electrical engineering?

Designing and building your own projects in both software and hardware is unbelievably fun. You get the theory and design elements, but more importantly you have an opportunity to actually build stuff ‘n’ things. Combined with the fact the the whole world is going to transition to an environment that is purely electric, there is a great opportunity for career growth.

In which projects have you been involved in and outside of university?

In university I have built signal generators, power supplies, audio amplifiers and microphone arrays. I have built software for motors, lights, robots and graphical user interfaces to keep them all under control.

My experience outside of university has surrounded the education sector in particular promoting the adoption of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). I have been involved with project pipeline introducing robotics to low decile schools in South Auckland.

In my own personal time I am currently restoring my father’s 1972 Honda Sl 100 motorcycle with the dream of it being electric. (My bank account doesn’t agree with me at the moment though!)

What challenges and opportunities did you encounter?

My biggest challenges are a lack of time and lack of resources. I would love to have the chance to work on some larger scale projects that have been in the back of my mind, but due to other important commitments they will have to wait until university is completed.

Having a lack of resources (I can’t afford a welder / 3D printer!) is both a challenge and an opportunity in the fact I am forced to source new community based workshops and labs (such as the AUT printing LAB), which keeps me involved with the community.

How would you like to contribute to the electricity supply industry in the future?

I have been accepted into BECA engineering consultants graduate programme as a power engineer. I hope that I can specialise in the new wave of battery tied grid storage projects as well as maintaining the New Zealand national grid.

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to high school students wanting to start a degree in engineering? And to university students wanting to specialise in power engineering?

To high school students:
The degree requires enthusiasm for the subject. It’s all about problem solving and teaching yourself new skills. Build projects at home and have as much fun as possible. BREAK STUFF, rip things apart, solve problems and most importantly build your passion for the subject. You will need the passion to get you through the tough days of study that lie ahead.

To university students:
As far as I am aware, the power industry is becoming more generalised. Don’t be afraid to mix it up with a few programming / software courses as well as a bit of machine learning as these will become massive in the next few years.